Playing with your guinea pig can help them have a happier life as well have a stronger connection with you as their owner. There are some do’s and don’ts when playing with your guinea pig and I am here to help you come up with ways to play with your furry friends without hurting them.
Handling
When handling your guinea pig, it is important to always use two hands. One hand should always be supporting their booty, the other hand should be under their stomach near the front of them. The skeleton of guinea pigs are very fragile and they can easily hurt themselves and not show any symptoms until it is too late. If you are holding your guinea pig with one hand then put your arm close to your body and then rest them on your body.
What to lay out
Like stated in my other blog post, Toys your guinea pigs will love, guinea pigs are really simple with toys and mental stimulation. Putting these toys in a foreign place such as the floor or in a play pin that is not their cage can get them more comfortable with a new area. Placing treats and some hay in various places is also positive reinforcement for them to go explore various parts of their play area. Typically, I give my guinea pigs play time once a week whenever I clean their cage. I will put their familiar items such as houses and hay on the floor and put new items such as a new hay toy or veggies on different parts while I clean their cage. Doing this once or twice a week will help your guinea pigs be able to adapt to new areas and people faster.
When setting your guinea pigs down for play time, it is important to make sure that they are safe and not too uncomfortable. Other animals or too many unfamiliar smells/items can overwhelm your guinea pig and they will hid in one spot and not move. It is important to make sure your guinea pig is happy and comfortable!